In kindergarten, Justin learned almost one-third of frog species are on the verge of extinction due to pollution, pesticides, contaminated water, and habitat destruction. When Justin learned frogs are indicator species- he knew the frogs were a true sign that the planet needs help.
It was the book What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada that inspired Justin to create change. With his mother’s help, he set out on a mission to raise funds for frog habitats by selling toy frogs in his Los Angeles neighborhood. Justin used frog art combined with scientific facts to attract people’s attention. His message spread quickly and he raised his first $2,000 for the non-profit Save The Frogs. When Justin learned one idea could change the world he knew he needed to be brave and stay determined to grow his idea.
Justin’s idea continued to grow. For his 8th birthday he had his party at the Ballona wetlands near his home and him and his friends picked invasive weeds and discussed the harms of plastic pollution. He even created his own frog shoes with PLAE shoes and had a worldwide art contest to tell the world about the frogs. Justin wanted people to know that frogs breath and drink through their skin so they are sensitive to the environment and frogs getting sick meant the frogs were telling us the planet needs our help. Justin’s determination to save the frogs and help the planet got a massive boost when he met legendary conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall.
At a Roots and Shoots event, Justin got to present his project to Dr. Jane. He presented Bravery Magazine to her and was excited to share he was featured as the Brave Kid in this first edition written all about Dr. Goodall for his e !orts to take care of the planet. She was so impressed with Justin’s enthusiasm for helping frogs and his bravery at such a young age that she inspired him to take his work one step further to include plastic pollution in waterways. Justin accepted her challenge and soon started learning the dangers of plastic in the environment. Justin read many books included a book called, Garbage Guts, which explained how animals were eating the plastics that entered ponds, lakes, streams, and oceans.
In the following months, Justin learned how to turn fishing line into bracelets, transform plastic bags into doormats, and shred plastic to make bowls. Justin loved turning trash into treasures because it felt like magic. He even collected 200 pounds of plastic caps and transformed this trash into a buddy bench for his school. This got the attention of a 22-year-old environmental student in Cameroon that reached out to Justin for help.
One might think Justin is doing enough to help the frogs, but he didn’t stop there. Justin’s love for frogs has led him on a mission to protect the planet. His goal is to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030. Justin is currently working to create the first fully youth funded 244- acre reserve in Ecuador with his Reserva Youth Council. He has raised enough funds through his Go Fund Me Campaign to purchase and protect 30 ACRES on the reserve and currently traveled there this summer to Ecuador to meet face to face with the frogs.
Justin Sather has been featured on many podcasts, magazines, newspapers, and in books for his work. He has also won awards for raising awareness and making impact to help the planet. A few include Go Fund Me Kid Hero, Points of Light, Action for Nature, Gloria Barron, President’s Environmental Youth Award, Grades of Green Campaign Winner for Community Builder. Justin can be seen in Ranger Rick, TIMES for Kids, and is featured in book “The Last Straw”, and is part of the “Young Change Makers” Book Series coming out later this year.
—– STRONGER ENDING… Justin’s goal is to inspire others to help him create change. He has created lessons such as an animal pledge or is asking those to join in The Million Letters Campaign. Or to start their own idea. Justin tell kids you need to “Start O ! with A Small Idea and Then Get Bigger and Bigger, Be Brave, Stay Determined, and Change the World!”
